The Best Places to Try Wagyu in Tokyo in 2025

Wagyu, literally meaning “Japanese beef,” is one of the most popular luxury foods that visitors look forward to trying when visiting Japan. There is no other beef quite as juicy, rich, and flavorful as wagyu due to its unique fatty marbling and texture.

But where are the best places in Tokyo to try the delectable wagyu? You may have heard the term Kobe beef from pop culture or from high end steakhouse menus, as it is the most famous brand of wagyu, but you may not have known that there are also plenty of other brands offering delicious wagyu beef at varying price points! 

Whatever your budget or preference, there are plenty of options to choose from. We will give you a comprehensive guide on all things wagyu and how you can find the best wagyu in Tokyo.

 

 

What is WAGYU?

When looking to try high quality Japanese wagyu, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

First, wagyu beef refers to four distinct breeds of Japanese cattle. These breeds include Japanese Black cattle (Kuroge), Japanese Brown cattle (Akage), Japanese Shorthorn (Nihon Tankaku), and Japanese Polled (Mukaku). In Japan, cross-breeding wagyu cattle with other breeds of cattle is prohibited, so beef can only be considered wagyu if it belongs to one of these four breeds and if the cattle are Japan-raised. 

The main criteria for defining the quality of the wagyu are its grade and brand. The “yield grade” refers to how much high-quality meat one cow can produce, not counting internal organs and other offal. 

The grades range from A to C, with the highest yield grade being A. The letter is always followed by a number from 1 to 5 which signifies the “quality grade,” with 5 being the highest grade. 

The quality grade is determined based on the amount of marbling, meat color and brightness, firmness and texture, and the luster and quality of the fat itself. The total grade is the yield and quality combined, meaning that the highest grade wagyu you can buy is A5 wagyu beef.

 

 

Branding is also important when it comes to determining wagyu quality. The brand indicates where the cattle is from. For example, Kobe brand beef is from Kobe in Hyogo prefecture. Kobe is one of the most famous brands of wagyu, along with Omi beef (from Shiga prefecture) and Matsusaka beef (from Mie prefecture). 

Aside from the top three, there are plenty of other famous brands that produce top-quality A5 grade wagyu, including: Miyazaki, Iwate, Hida, Yonezawa, Hitachi, Ishigaki, and Kumamoto. If you see any of these brands on a menu, especially along with a high grade rating, you know that the beef is top quality!

Now that you know what makes wagyu beef so special, let’s talk about how and where you can try it! 

Below, we have written some recommendations for the best wagyu restaurants and experiences in Tokyo, so pick your favorites or try them all!

 

The BEST Way to Try Wagyu in Tokyo

Wagyu and Sake Pairing in Shinjuku

It would be a mistake not to start off by mentioning our own Wagyu and Sake Tasting experience! This comprehensive dining experience serves premium wagyu cuts prepared 4+ different ways. Most restaurants tend to focus on only one style of cooking, but with us, you’ll be able to try many different wagyu dishes in the same meal. More bang for your buck!

This meal includes 8+ courses, with each course paired with a glass of select craft sake or a sake cocktail. People often think of steak and wine pairing well together, but the latest trend in Tokyo is pairing wagyu with sake. 

In this experience, you’ll learn how the delicate palate of sake perfectly complements the rich, fatty flavor of wagyu beef.

Click here for more information and to book your experience today.

Info: https://www.ninjafoodtours.com/wagyu-tasting-tokyo/

 

Wagyu Steak & Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki, one of the most luxurious styles of dining in Japan, is what comes to mind for most people when they think of wagyu beef. It is a style of cooking where the chef grills on a flat iron grill called a “teppan.” Seats are usually placed along a long counter directly in front of the teppan grill so that guests can watch as the chef grills their food to perfection. Chefs use large spatulas to expertly cook the high quality ingredients, such as meat, fish, and seasonal vegetables, which allows for both a fun viewing experience and excellent food.

Teppanyaki restaurants serve many kinds of food, but they often focus on high quality wagyu sirloin and tenderloin steaks. These restaurants tend to be small with limited seating, so reservations are usually required, and they often have set course meals decided by the chef. Meals can range in price from ¥5,000 to upwards of ¥35,000 per person depending on the quality of the wagyu served.

Let’s take a look at some fantastic wagyu Teppanyaki restaurants in varying price ranges.

 

 

Teppanyaki Roku in Kagurazaka ($$)

A great option in a nice location with very reasonable prices. They only have 16 seats, so be sure to reserve in advance. You can choose a course from several different options, ranging from ¥7,000 to ¥10,000 per person, but you can also order a la carte. They serve high-quality Kuroge wagyu along with seasonal vegetables, grilled seafood, and okonomiyaki (teppanyaki-style savory pancake).

Address: 2F 長谷部ビル 3Chome – 2 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo

 

T Nakameguro($$$)

T is a teppanyaki restaurant that claims to be the first in the world to serve Omi wagyu beef T-bone steaks. They work closely with an Omi beef farm to be able to produce their tender and juicy T-bone steaks. They carve the Omi beef T-bone and L-bone in front of you, and showcase the best ways to enjoy each cut. 

If you want to try the highest grade of wagyu beef in a variety of unique ways, this restaurant is the perfect choice!

Address: 東京都目黒区上目黒2-37-12 コンフォート中目黒 1F

 

Ginza Himawari ($$$)

This teppanyaki restaurant serves luxurious courses that includes wagyu A5 kuroge black beef sirloin steak, lobster, abalone, and more. If you want a taste of all kinds of high-class Japanese ingredients, this is the place to go. 

They serve lunch courses for ¥8,000 or dinner courses for around ¥20,000. Please make reservations in advance.

Address: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, コートヤードマリオット銀座東武ホテル 101

 

Wagyu Yakiniku

 

Yakiniku is Japanese-style barbecue where you grill your own meat over a small charcoal grill. Meat is usually ordered by the plate, which typically has 5-6 pieces of raw meat in the cut of your choice. You can choose between cuts such as rib, flank, skirt, loin, tongue, and many more, along with the seasoning of your choice. 

Most yakiniku restaurants also offer an all-you-can-eat option called “tabehodai”. This option usually comes in different price ranges depending on whether you want to stick with imported beef, which tends to be cheaper, or domestic wagyu beef.  This style of dining is generally more casual, and there is more variety in both the price and meat quality. 

To help you navigate the world of yakiniku, we have compiled a list of the best wagyu yakiniku restaurants in Tokyo.

 

Jiromaru in Shibuya ($)

Jiromaru is a standing bar/restaurant that serves high quality wagyu meat. If you do not mind standing while eating, this is the place to go. It is located in the heart of Shibuya, so there is plenty of nightlife to explore after eating a nice yakiniku dinner.

Make sure to dress casually since the smoke from the grill can leave your clothes smelling like barbeque. Since they do not take reservations, we recommend showing up a little early to skip waiting in line.

Address: 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−6−7 RISM渋谷 1F

 

Motoyama in Shinjuku ($$)

This yakiniku restaurant serves high quality Kobe beef and other wagyu beef brands at a reasonable price, with their main focus being on A5 quality Kuroge black beef. 

Courses start at around ¥6,000 per person, and they offer a la carte options as well as rare cuts of meat that you might not find at other restaurants.

Address: 2F ダイハンビルデンス 7 Chome−10−12 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Website: http://yakiniku-motoyama.com/

 

Hanamonya in Shinjuku ($$$)

This restaurant buys the entire Kuroge wagyu beef in order to serve all different kinds of cuts to their customers. Here, you can dine in a relaxed and quiet atmosphere that still feels high-end. 

You can find lavish courses ranging from ¥7,000 to ¥14,000 per person and reasonable prices for drinks.

Address: 6F 新宿ユースビルＰＡＸ 4-1-9 Shinjuku Shinjuku Tokyo

 

Ushi Benkei ($$) in Shimbashi

Ushi Benkei not only offers yakiniku, but covers a little bit of everything. Here, you can have wagyu prepared in many different ways, including steak, yakiniku, hotpot, and even in sushi form! 

If you want a reasonably priced restaurant (¥8,000 to ¥11,000) that has a bit of everything, we highly recommend trying wagyu here. 

Address: 〒105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi, 3 Chome−18−7 桃山ビル 1F

 

Wagyu Hot Pot

 

One of the most traditional ways to enjoy wagyu is by having it in Japanese hotpot! 

There are two main styles of hotpot dining: shabu shabu and sukiyaki. Shabu shabu involves dipping raw meat into boiling water to cook it, and then dipping it into different sauces. Sukiyaki, on the other hand, involves dipping the meat into a flavored broth and then dipping the cooked meat into raw egg. 

Both styles are incredibly delicious and flavorful, and can be done with either pork or beef and plenty of seasonal vegetables. But, hotpot is definitely the most delicious when it includes wagyu beef! 

Most shabu shabu and sukiyaki restaurants will offer both cooking style options as well as multiple meat options for you to choose from.

 

Nabezo ($)

For a budget-friendly option, try one of the many Nabezo locations throughout Tokyo. They offer all-you-can-eat courses of 100 minutes at differing price points. 

Their cheapest options range from ¥2,000, but of course their more expensive courses (¥8,000 plus) include all-you-can-eat delicious Japanese black beef wagyu, which we highly recommend.

Address in Shinjuku: 8F 新宿高野第二ビル 3-chōme−30-11 Shinjuku, Tokyo

Website: http://nabe-zo.com/

 

Zakuro Muromachi ($$)

Zakuro offers excellent meat quality and attention to detail in a relaxed and traditional atmosphere. If you’ve always wanted to be served traditional Japanese wagyu by waiters in kimono, this is the dinner for you! 

Courses range from ¥2,500+ at lunchtime to about ¥6,000-20,000 at dinnertime. 

Address: 〒103-0022 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashimuromachi, 2 Chome−2−1 コレド室町1 4F

 

Imafuku in Shirogane ($$$)

This 2-star Michelin acclaimed restaurant serves the highest quality wagyu beef in its shabu-shabu and sukiyaki courses. 

Their menu changes with the season, so you can expect super fresh vegetables and ingredients and new courses every time you go. They only select the highest quality and brand meats, and can tell you what part of the country each cut of meat is from before you order. Expect to pay ¥15,000+ per person.

Address: 1 Chome-12-19 Shirokane, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0072

 

Wagyu Sandwiches

We have to include some delicious wagyu burgers and sandwiches on this list! As a Japanese twist on a western classic, wagyu burgers and sandwiches are getting increasingly popular in Japan as a higher quality alternative to fast food and diners. 

 

Henry’s Burger in Daikanyama ($)

At Henry’s Burger, they only use ground Kuroge wagyu (black beef) and focus on the meat quality above all else. Because of this, they are able to create burgers that are juicer, more tender, and more flavorful than your typical Angus beef burger. 

A single hamburger combo costs about ¥1500, and you can order custom toppings to customize your burger to your liking.

Address: 1 Chome-36-6 Ebisunishi, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0021

Website: https://www.henrysburger.com/

 

WAGYUMAFIA: THE CUTLET SANDWICH in Nakameguro ($$-$$$)

If you want to try wagyu with a modern twist, then a “wagyu katsu sando” is right up your alley! Opened in March 2017, this unique restaurant offers a world-famous Kobe Beef Chateaubriand cutlet sandwich. The sandwich consists of a juicy wagyu steak covered in panko crust that is then deep fried and placed between two soft slices of bread. 

Wagyumafia is the king of wagyu cutlet sandwiches! They offer several different types of wagyu cutlets, with prices starting from ¥5,000 and going all the way up to ¥35,000 for the Kobe dry-aged beef sandwich. Do not underestimate the quality of their beef— even though it may be in a sandwich, it is some of the highest quality wagyu you can find (with a price tag to match)!

Delicately simple, but packed with flavor and texture, this will quickly become your favorite sandwich.

Address: 1 Chome-26-1-108 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo

Website: https://www.wagyumafia.com/

 

As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy delicious wagyu beef in Tokyo. You’ll be amazed at how many options are available to try, and how drastically different great wagyu is from other types of beef. 

Now, all you have to do is decide on which of the ways you want to try wagyu, then choose one of the above wagyu restaurants out of all the fantastic options! Whether you try just one or all of them, you surely won’t be disappointed!